Closure and tapping construction



April 30, 1957 G. D. FLAlTH ETAL 2,790,572

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTIQN Filed May 18, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR.

650265 Down) Fur/r11 BY Jose-PH 5 Swan; Je

April 1957 cs. D. FLAI I'H ETAL 2,790,572

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v F6 J 39 INVENTOR.

650255 flow/n0 Fin/TH BY Jose-PH E. SMITH, le.

April 30, 1957 G. o. FLAITH ETAL 2 CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTIONFiled May 18, 1953 3 Sheet-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 650205 DOA/0L0 FZfl/Tf/ BYJbSEPH SM'lrrx, Je,

CLGSURE AND TAPPIN G CONSTRUCTION George Donald Flaith and Joseph E.Smith, In, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,676 2 Claims. (Cl. 217-99)dioxide) into the barrel or the like and for removing the' liquidcontents (as, for example, beer) under pressure.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and improvedclosure-and-tapping mechanism for barrels, drums and other containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelclosure-and-tapping mechanism which is relatively simple and inexpensiveto manufacture and which is sturdy and dependable in operation and whichfacilitates cleaning, inspection and re-filling of the barrel or thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container havinga new and improved closure-and-tapping mechanism. a

2,790,572 Patented Apr. 30, 1957 Referring to the accompanying drawingsin whichlike' reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a view, partly in elevation and partly in verticalcross-section, of the present invention with the bung removed from thebung-receiver and a valve-mechanism inserted within the bung-receiver,the bung-receiver being connected to the bung-flange.

Figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view showing thebung-receiver disconnected from the bungfiange. I

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-section al view of thebung-receiver and the valve-connector in the first stage ofinterconnection between the bayonet portions of the valve-connector andthe bayonet portions of the bung-receiver.

Figure 4- is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally alongline 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal crosssectional view taken generally along line5' 5 of Figure 6. I

Figure. drepresents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of thebung-receiver and the valve-connector Other objects and advantages ofthe present invention are apparent in the following detaileddescription, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

The present application is a continuation-in-part ofour co-pendingapplication Serial No. 34,728, filed June -23,

1948, and now Patent No. 2,638,914 1953.

Generally speaking this application is directed to a novelclosure-and-tapping mechanismfor a barrel or the like which includes abung-receiver for. operatively receiving a bung removablysecuredltherein, said bungreceiver being removably fastened within abung-flange and issued May 19,

said novel closure-and-tapping mechanism. I 3

An important feature of the present invention is the novel constructionwhich permits the bung-receiver to be of a barrel, and also to barrelsor containers comp'rising quickly and easily disconnected from thebung-flange after the barrel or the like has'been emptied, so as toprovide a relatively large opening to facilitate cleaning, inspectionand refilling of the barrel prior to re-use thereof, and which permitsthe bung-receiver to be easily re-connected to the bung-flange after thecleaning andv inspection has been completed. Although the barrel may befilled (with beer or the like) through the conventional bung hole(generally located on the circular side of the barrel, the barrel havingtwo bungs when the bung-receiver carrying a bung is in position in thebungflange), the filling may be accomplished'through the large-diameteropening of the bung-flange of the present invention prior to theconnection thereto of the bungreceiver. I ,I I I For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawingsa" form-thereof which is at present preferred, although it is to' beunderstood that the various instrumentalities of which, the

invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that theinventionis not limited to'the precise arrangements and organizations ofthe instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

in the final stage of interconnection. I

Figure 7 represents an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of thebung-flange and the bung-receiver; with the bung-receiver partlyinserted into the bung-flange.

Figure 8 represents an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view showingthe bung-receiver and the bung-flange fully interconnected, with thebung inserted in position within the bung-receiver.

Referring generally to Figures 1 through 8 a bung-flange designated 24formed of metal or the like, may be permanently attached or afilxed tothe sheet-metal endwall 21 of'a drum or barrel or like container; theend-wall 21 being provided with an annular stifiening or reinforcing riberhead 2?. in radially spaced relation to container hole 23. Thebung-flange .20 includes. a flat circular bottom 2 which extendsradially. outwardly beyond the peripheryv of the'jhole23 and whichispercylindrical b'ody portion 34 is provided with an upper;

manently aflixed (by welding,- soldering or the like) to the containerend-wall 21. In' the case of wooden containers or drums, the bottom 24of the bung-flange 20. I i

can be afiixed to the drum end-wall by suitable means, such as screws.

The bottom 24'of the bungflange 26 is provided with a circular opening25 which is in alignment with the hole 23 in the end-wall 210i thecontainer. Circular opening 25 is of'smaller diameter than hole 23 ofthe container. I

The bung-flange 20 also includes an upstanding collar 26 whichhas agenerally cylindrical outer wall 27.

Collar 26 is provided with an uppermost generally circular inner surface23 and a lowermost polygonal inner surface 29; the surfaces 28 and 29being separated by a generally circular locking groove 39. The uppermostcircular surface 28 has a plurality of notches 31 in axial alignmentwith the corners of polygonal surface 29.

A horizontal bung-receiver seat 32 intervenes the vertical polygonalsurface 29 and circular opening 25.

The bung-receiver designated 33 is constructed and arranged to beremovably mounted within bung-flange 2t).

Bung-receiver 33 includesa generally cylindrically-shaped f Ibody-portion M which may be formed of. metal or the like,,provided withabottommost tapered portion 19. The

generally flat head 35, the peripheral outline of which corresponds toand is adapted to'cooperatively mate with the polygonal inner surface 2%of the collar 26 of bungflange 2f) described above. L

II Upstanding ears, tabs, orprojection's 36 ea'ch having axiallyinclined undercut inner surfaces 37 on the radially inner side surfacesthereof are provided'at the cornersof the head 35, i

c The cylindrical body-portion 34 includes a circumferential groove 38on the outer surface thereof (see Figure 3),- I A valve-connector 43having a female bayonet joint A n Q-ring 59 i rubber or othercompressible In? lfifi element 44 is lowered through male bayonet'jointnotch is tinny s'litiably n' oiinte'd within circuinferential 47 ofmating male bayonet joint element or bayonet-flange 38 andwh entapestries see, for il F g l ft f- 45 positioned on the uppermostportion 46 of bung-renis'hes lfifiicl-tight andair tighl seal betweenthe b'utig 5 ceiver 33, until female bayonet joint element 44 is belowreceiver 33 and hun'g flan'ge 20. g rnale bayonet joiht element 45 (seeFigures 3 and 4). The

Bang-receiver 33 is provided with an aXia l bung-receiv female hayoiie'tioiritl'enieht {His then turned clockwise ing channel 40 adapted toremovably receive a convenuntil thefernal'e bayonetjoint element 44 isengaged against tional bung or 'plug 41 of wood or the like. When bungstop 48 arid assumes an lfios'i'tion shown in Figures 5 41' isoperatively disposed within bung-receiving channel and 6.

40 as'shown in Figure 8'; 'afluid-tight and air-tight sealing Valvemechanism, 54} comprising conventional means of bung-receiving channel40 is eiT ected. V I, w for forcing the liquid contentsrof the containeror the oar- A generally C-shaped locking-ring42 of resilient metal reloutward therefrom is positioned in liquid-withdrawal t 35 and is seatedon the seating surface 39a (see Figure 2 locking groove 39 above theears] 36 inserted into one of the notches 31' to prylthelocking rin'g orthe like, such assPring SteeL'having a normal diameter position bythreaded couplin element 51 having female sdniejvvh'atgreater thanthediameter of the locking groove threads Which'mate with correspondinglythreaded male 30' connects the b'ung' receiver 3316 the bung-flangeztl.t threads at the uppermost portion 52 of valve-connecto're't Theinterconnectionis effected by first compressing lock- Coupling elementil cornprises an anniilar coupling flange ing ring 42 (so as to bringits ends closer together and or key 53 which sits" Within a groove 54 onthe'eXternal thereby reduce its diameter) and then fitting locking ringwall of vatv'eme ha 'srn 50. By rotating coupling ele- 42 into head 35within 'thel ndercnt inner surfaces37 of ment 5 1 about 'tli' threadedconnection at uppermost porthe ears 36 in the manner shown in Figure 7The bung tionl52 of valve eoritiector 43, valve mechanism 50 can he,receiver 33 is in the position shown in Figure 2 with por made to sea onits hottol at 5'5 on packing giana'w tions'oi the locking-ring 42protrudingradially outwardly which islseated on the' t6pn1ost surface ofmale bayonet beyond the straightedgesof the head 35 between ears 36.joint element oi tin'g receiver 33, Packing gland The diameter of thesoc ompressed ring is less than the comprises gaske't'rn'aterial','suchas rubber or impregnated diameter of the circular inner surface 28 ofcollar 26 of fabric and servesto effect a fluid-tight and air-tight seatb n fi Q0 l l ing between bottorn' seat 55 of valve-mechanism 50 and Thetapered portion 19 of bung-receiver 33 is then the top surfaceoflm i yfi t j n element 5- lowered into the collar 2e of hung-flange 20 throughthe VaIVemechahiShiSO includesla riser-pipe 56 which exhole 25 until thecylindrical body-portionfienters hole tends tll Ugh Channel 49' b g 33ually to 25 and O -ri ng 3? is disposed within hole In this the oppositeeiitrenrity of the container. 4 7 position, shown in Figure 7; thelockin ring 42 extends The upper partof valvemechanism 5 mprises. a 9radially beyond the straight sides of the polygonal head ventron'al a rinlet conduit 57 consisting of a rubber or & plastic air-hose engagedover ridges 58 on thestem of between the notches 31'. The upper surfaceof the head CompTeSSW al xclj fi k-vfi vefii C ka 59 s of as an thelocking ring 42 are radially aligned with the s t apa eas i j-t p Thomasvalve) locking groove 39 and the upstanding ears 36 are fittedafidvpefmlts QW Qf. hd pressure inwardly through within the notches 31.v l g lili fii Fe lfhlit' 57biit prevents the flow of air in theThereafter, the b'ung-receiver 33 i's rn ove'd still further R l fifl'li do g/ntvard in respect toibung fiange 2%; the seating surface PQ U 4OT air-pressure can be builttnp within- 304 between the notches 31preventing corresponding lhe q t r 9 m 3 i maintaining p-oclt 60 of jdownwardmovement of the loclring ring42 and as a result the il id i 'lit fll p fi l Y al me hanism Si) in the lo'ckingring 42 rern'ains in thesaute horizontal plane 193. .Pll19. 7 92i llt Q l -m flg all: throughconduit as the locking groo've-Sflfwhile the'eara 36 nioye clowna e eqrv ve 9 .ifi t Posllllvfi d p essure 7 ward relative thereto untilthelocking ring ilclears' the P FQ- I P withifi drum" theflow of air t edrum 1 ted. On ,openin'gstop-cock 6Q the liquid co' ents the drum, suchas beer, are --removed Figures 1 and 8' showthe soseatecl L42 M 9tiger-pig l 9 ?"3 Q} b and overlying the tops pf ears 36' andpre'ventingupward w ehl s m v the rldges 63 of a movement of the'bungqeceiver 33relative ;to the hun e m)? QfQ E f llq 11 flange '29; the bung-receiver33 being thereby.. locled in v g v E m f P Q P position within thebung-flange 2h. The position'of the means of glgndepacklng G FP A i 'hflocking ring 42 adjacent the undercut inner surfaces 37 m; inv s 9 9Burrged against Q P of ears 36 prior to being positioned in lockinggroove 30 .5 9 lelemem Gland Packing 6s mamis shown in dotted line inFigurefi. L N V tams a fluld7nght The upper portion of bungflange 2t!and the exposed top surface of interconnected bung-carryingbung-receiver 33 can be covered by a tearable metal cap or seal {nottops' of'the' ears 36,21nd then springs outwardly into the and theoutside mosphere. r t

- valve m 'njan m 50 comprising the r'iser-pipeloiitlet pressnr'e he'adn'g means, outlet valve meansga'nd shown) atfixed to outer wall 27 ofbung-flange 20. f z P i i 9 -Qnventio-nal cogstrtuctioni d When it isdesired to remove the bung-receiver 33, a zfggg gf g figglgg ig gther ggy f g w t a z t 1 lren emormenso e Small Obothar pmmed mol'mdy Q6aforementionedleem tsean beisubstituted for that shown in Figure l Fer;arlnplmafseparate conduit can be 42; 'ut of the lockinggrooyejtwherenpon tlie Eatingr I t, r-

.s rec-e1 33 may bejlifte'dpn't; so that tne'retattvelylarg'eused toIntroduce aktjrglqgheekwalvethe siz'e' Mtg 25 in theibung-flan'gezfiis'exposed to ta'c'ilitate cleaning and inspection of the" drum orbarrel or the like. i

When it is desired to utilize the drum, barrel or conminer of thepresent invention containingthe'bung 41in placejvi ithin the bungreceiver 33, the sealing cap (not-- show 'W ichlaslheretotore'indiCatedcanbe uti Zed to] the barrel andmeanstordeveloping continuous air pressure vithin'thef' barrel"p'e'rniittirig uninterrupted Withdravval oi liq 'idtherefr in'fcan besecured;

, 56 valvegconnec tor 43,31? .supl e lam t-25 1s unwre mm 7 we; the tp r413 v flhen valvegonhector ment hputer wallgj of collar 26 the f df, isth -Way; 43 can be r tated counter-e an'd" tlte"bnngjt41' Withinbung-resetting emanates is joint element M withdravvn pushed down intothe barrel. valve-connector lifted free of the bung-receiver 33.

air tight seal between riser-pipe 56 barrer'thah refuse to withdraw theliquid contentsof After the co at r "artist smarter-has been emptied;

The empty drum or barrel can then be returned to the supplier, such asthe brewery or the like, whereupon the locking ring 42 is disengagedfrom the locking groove 30 in the manner heretofore described, enablingthe bung-receiver 33 to be disconnected from the bung-flange and to belifted out of the drum or barrel. This exposes the relatively largeopening in the bung-receiver 20 and facilitates cleaning of the drum orbarrel.

After cleaning and inspection of the barrel have been effected, and thebarrel re-filled with liquid, the bungreceiver 33 carrying a bung 41 isre-attached to the bungfiange 20, in the manner heretofore described andis again ready to receive the valve-connector 43 and valvemechanism 50for dispensing the liquid contents.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essen tial attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to theappended claims rather than to the foregoing descrip tion to indicatethe scope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a closure-and-tapping device for a barrel or the like, abung-flange having an axial opening formed therein and having anupstanding collar, said collar being somewhat larger in diameter thansaid opening and being co-axial therewith, thereby providing a generallyhorizontal annular seating-surface peripherally of the upper end of saidopening, said collar having a lower inner surface of generally polygonaloutline and having an upper inner surface of generally circular outlineand having an intervening locking-groove, said upper circular surfacebeing provided with notches in vertical alignment with the corners ofthe polygonal surface, a bung-receiver having a passageway therein forremovably receiving a bung, said bung-receiver including a generallycylindrical body adapted to fit within the opening in the bung-flange,said bung-receiver having an upper enlarged head of polygonal outlinecorresponding to the polygonal inner surface of said collar, afluid-tight sealing joint including an O-ring mounted within a groove onsaid bungreceiver engaging said bung-flange, a resilient lockingn'ngcapable of being deformed so as to reduce its normal diameter, saidlocking-ring being constructed and arranged temporarily to be positionedupon said head in compressed smaller-diameter condition While saidbungreceiver is lowered into said bung-flange with the corners of thehead fitting within the notches of the upper circular surface, saidlocking-ring being constructed and arranged to be set free of said headwhen said head is forced further downward into the lower polygonalsurface, said locking-ring springing outwardly into the locking-groovein overlying relationship to the corners of the head whereby thebung-receiver is inter-locked with the bung-flange, said locking-ringbeing constructed and arranged to be contracted to remove it from thelockinggroove thereby to free the bung-receiver and to permit it to beremoved from the bung-flange.

2. A container including a barrel, a bung-flange mounted on an end wallof said barrel with the bore of said bung-flange coaxial with an openingin said barrel, the body of said bung-flange covering the edge of saidbarrel opening, said bung-flange having an axial opening formed thereinand having an upstanding collar, said collar being somewhat larger indiameter than said opening and being coaxial therewith, therebyproviding a generally horizontal annular seating-surface peripherally ofthe upper end of said opening, said collar having a lower inner surfaceof generally polygonal outline and having an upper inner surface ofgenerally circular outline and having an intervening locking-groove,said upper circular surface being provided with notches in verticalalignment with the corners of the polygonal surface, a bungreceiverhaving a passageway therein for removably receiving a bung, saidbung-receiver including a generally cylindrical body adapted to fitwithin the opening in the bung-flange, said bung-receiverhaving an upperenlarged head of polygonal outline corresponding to the polygonal innersurface of said collar, a fluid-tight sealing joint including an O-ringmounted within a groove on said bungreceiver engaging said bung-flange,a resilient locking-ring capable of being deformed so as to reduce itsnormal diameter, said locking-ring being constructed and arrangedtemporarily to be positioned upon said head in compressedsmallendiarneter condition while said bung-receiver is lowered into saidbung-flange with the corners of the head fitting within the notches ofthe upper circular surface, said locking-ring being constructed andarranged to be set free of said head when said head is forced furtherdownward into the lower polygonal surface, said locking-ring springingoutwardly into the locking-groove in overlying relationship to thecorners of the head whereby the bung-receiver is inter-locked with thebung-flange,

said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be f contracted toremove it from the locking-groove thereby to free the bung-receiver andto permit it to be removed from the bung-flange.

Snyder Mar. 3, 1953

